Polarization-modulating element, illumination optical apparatus, exposure apparatus, and exposure method

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a polarization-modulating element for modulating a polarization state of incident light into a predetermined polarization state, the polarization-modulating element being made of an optical material with optical activity and having a circumferentially varying thickness profile.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Division of application Ser. No. 11/347,421 filed Feb. 6, 2006, which is a Continuation-In-Part of PCT/JP2005/000407 filed Jan. 14, 2005. The disclosure of each prior application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a polarization-modulating element, illumination optical apparatus, exposure apparatus, and exposure method and, more particularly, to an exposure apparatus for production of microdevices such as semiconductor elements, image pickup elements, liquid crystal display elements, and thin-film magnetic heads by lithography.

2. Related Background Art

In the typical exposure apparatus of this type, a beam emitted from a light source travels through a fly's eye lens as an optical integrator to form a secondary light source as a substantial surface illuminant consisting of a number of light sources. Beams from the secondary light source (generally, an illumination pupil distribution formed on or near an illumination pupil of the illumination optical apparatus) are limited through an aperture stop disposed near the rear focal plane of the fly's eye lens and then enter a condenser lens.

The beams condensed by the condenser lens superposedly illuminate a mask on which a predetermined pattern is formed. The light passing through the pattern of the mask is focused on a wafer through a projection optical system. In this manner, the mask pattern is projected for exposure (or transcribed) onto the wafer. The pattern formed on the mask is a highly integrated pattern, and, in order to accurately transcribe this fine pattern onto the wafer, it is indispensable to obtain a uniform illuminance distribution on the wafer.

For example, Japanese Patent No. 3246615 owned by the same Applicant of the present application discloses the following technology for realizing the illumination condition suitable for faithful transcription of the fine pattern in arbitrary directions: the secondary light source is formed in an annular shape on the rear focal plane of the fly's eye lens and the beams passing the secondary light source of the annular shape are set to be in a linearly polarized state with a direction of polarization along the circumferential direction thereof (hereinafter referred to as a “azimuthal polarization state”).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the embodiment is to transform incident light in a linearly polarized state having a direction of polarization virtually along a single direction, into light in a azimuthal polarization state having a direction of polarization virtually along a circumferential direction, while suppressing the loss of light quantity.

Another object of the embodiment is to form an illumination pupil distribution of an annular shape in a azimuthal polarization state while well suppressing the loss of light quantity, using a polarization-modulating element capable of transforming incident light in a linearly polarized state having a direction of polarization virtually along a single direction, into light in a azimuthal polarization state having a direction of polarization virtually along a circumferential direction.

Another object of the embodiment is to transcribe a fine pattern under an appropriate illumination condition faithfully and with high throughput, using an illumination optical apparatus capable of forming an illumination pupil distribution of an annular shape in a azimuthal polarization state while well suppressing the loss of light quantity.

In order to achieve the above objects, a first aspect of the embodiment is to provide a polarization-modulating element for modulating a polarization state of incident light into a predetermined polarization state,

the polarization-modulating element being made of an optical material with optical activity and having a circumferentially varying thickness profile.

A second aspect of the embodiment is to provide an illumination optical apparatus comprising a light source for supplying illumination light, and the polarization-modulating element of the first aspect disposed in an optical path between the light source and a surface to be illuminated.

A third aspect of the embodiment is to provide an illumination optical apparatus for illuminating a surface to be illuminated, based on illumination light supplied from a light source,

the illumination optical apparatus satisfying the following relations:

RSP _(h)(Ave)>70%, and RSP _(v)(Ave)>70%,

where RSP_(h)(Ave) is an average specific polarization rate about polarization in a first direction in a predetermined effective light source region in a light intensity distribution formed in an illumination pupil plane of the illumination optical apparatus or in a plane conjugate with the illumination pupil plane, and RSP_(v)(Ave) is an average specific polarization rate about polarization in a second direction in the predetermined effective light source region.

The average specific polarization rates above are defined as follows:

RSP _(h)(Ave)=Ix(Ave)/(Ix+Iy)Ave

RSP _(v)(Ave)=Iy(Ave)/(Ix+Iy)Ave.

In the above equations, Ix(Ave) represents an average intensity of a polarization component in the first direction in a bundle of rays passing through the predetermined effective light source region and arriving at a point on an image plane, Iy(Ave) an average intensity of a polarization component in the second direction in a bundle of rays passing through the predetermined effective light source region and arriving at a point on the image plane, and (Ix+Iy)Ave an average intensity of an entire beam passing through the predetermined effective light source region. The illumination pupil plane of the illumination optical apparatus can be defined as a plane in the optical relation of Fourier transform with the surface to be illuminated and, where the illumination optical apparatus is combined with a projection optical system, it can be defined as a plane in the illumination optical apparatus optically conjugate with an aperture stop of the projection optical system. The plane conjugate with the illumination pupil plane of the illumination optical apparatus is not limited to a plane in the illumination optical apparatus, but, for example, in a case where the illumination optical apparatus is combined with a projection optical system, it may be a plane in the projection optical system, or may be a plane in a polarization measuring device for measuring a polarization state in the illumination optical apparatus (or in the projection exposure apparatus).

A fourth aspect of the embodiment is to provide an exposure apparatus comprising the illumination optical apparatus of the second aspect or the third aspect, the exposure apparatus projecting a pattern onto a photosensitive substrate through the illumination optical apparatus.

A fifth aspect of the embodiment is to provide an exposure method of projecting a pattern onto a photosensitive substrate, using the illumination optical apparatus of the second aspect or the third aspect.

A sixth aspect of the embodiment is to provide a production method of a polarization-modulating element for modulating a polarization state of incident light into a predetermined polarization state, comprising:

a step of preparing an optical material with optical activity; and

a step of providing the optical material with a circumferentially varying thickness profile.

The polarization-modulating element of the embodiment is made of the optical material with optical activity, for example, like crystalline quartz, and has the circumferentially varying thickness profile. The thickness profile herein is set, for example, so that light in a linearly polarized state having a direction of polarization virtually along a single direction is transformed into light in a azimuthal polarization state having a direction of polarization virtually along the circumferential direction. In consequence, the embodiment realizes the polarization-modulating element capable of transforming the incident light in the linearly polarized state having the direction of polarization virtually along a single direction, into light in the azimuthal polarization state having the direction of polarization virtually along the circumferential direction, while suppressing the loss of light quantity. Particularly, since the polarization-modulating element is made of the optical material with optical activity, the invention has the advantage that the polarization-modulating element is extremely easy to produce, for example, as compared with wave plates.

Therefore, since the illumination optical apparatus of the embodiment uses the polarization-modulating element capable of transforming the incident light in the linearly polarized state having the direction of polarization virtually along a single direction, into the light in the azimuthal polarization state having the direction of polarization virtually along the circumferential direction, it is able to form an illumination pupil distribution of an annular shape in the azimuthal polarization state while well suppressing the loss of light quantity. Since the exposure apparatus and exposure method of the embodiment use the illumination optical apparatus capable of forming the illumination pupil distribution of the annular shape in the azimuthal polarization state while well suppressing the loss of light quantity, they are able to transcribe a fine pattern under an appropriate illumination condition faithfully and with high throughput and, eventually, to produce good devices with high throughput.

The embodiment will be more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and are not to be considered as limiting the embodiment.

Further scope of applicability of the embodiment will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration schematically showing a configuration of an exposure apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration to illustrate the action of a conical axicon system on a secondary light source of an annular shape.

FIG. 3 is an illustration to illustrate the action of a zoom lens on a secondary light source of an annular shape.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing an internal configuration of a polarization monitor in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an illustration schematically showing a configuration of a polarization-modulating element in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an illustration to illustrate the optical activity of crystalline quartz.

FIG. 7 is an illustration schematically showing a secondary light source of an annular shape set in a azimuthal polarization state by the action of the polarization-modulating element.

FIG. 8 is an illustration schematically showing a secondary light source of an annular shape set in a radially polarized state by the action of the polarization-modulating element.

FIG. 9 is an illustration showing a modification example in which a plurality of polarization-modulating elements are arranged in a replaceable state.

FIG. 10 is an illustration showing plural types of polarization-modulating elements 10 a-10 c mounted on a turret 10T as a replacing mechanism in FIG. 9.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D and 11E are illustrations showing respective configurations of plural types of polarization-modulating elements 10 a-10 e, respectively.

FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C are illustrations schematically showing examples of the secondary light source set in the azimuthal polarization state by the action of the polarization-modulating element, respectively.

FIG. 13 is an illustration schematically showing a configuration of polarization-modulating element 10 f arranged rotatable around the optical axis AX.

FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C are illustrations schematically showing examples of the secondary light source set in the azimuthal polarization state by the action of polarization-modulating element 10 f, respectively.

FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C are illustrations schematically showing examples of the secondary light source obtained when the polarization-modulating element composed of elementary elements of a sector shape is arranged rotatable around the optical axis AX, respectively.

FIG. 16 is an illustration showing an example in which the polarization-modulating element is located at a position immediately before conical axicon system 8 (or at a position near the entrance side), among locations near the pupil of the illumination optical apparatus.

FIG. 17 is an illustration for explaining Conditions (1) and (2) to be satisfied in the modification example shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is an illustration showing an example in which the polarization-modulating element is located near the pupil position of imaging optical system 15, among locations near the pupil of the illumination optical apparatus.

FIG. 19 is an illustration showing a schematic configuration of wafer surface polarization monitor 90 for detecting a polarization state and light intensity of light illuminating a wafer W.

FIG. 20 is an illustration showing a secondary light source 31 of an annular shape obtained when a quartered polarization-modulating element 10 f is used to implement quartered, circumferentially polarized annular illumination.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a procedure of producing semiconductor devices as microdevices.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a procedure of producing a liquid crystal display element as a microdevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an illustration schematically showing a configuration of an exposure apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the Z-axis is defined along a direction of a normal to a wafer W being a photosensitive substrate, the Y-axis along a direction parallel to the plane of FIG. 1 in the plane of the wafer W, and the X-axis along a direction of a normal to the plane of FIG. 1 in the plane of wafer W. With reference to FIG. 1, the exposure apparatus of the present embodiment is provided with a light source 1 for supplying exposure radiation (light) [(illumination light)].

The light source 1 can be, for example, a KrF excimer laser light source for supplying light with the wavelength of 248 nm, an ArF excimer laser light source for supplying light with the wavelength of 193 nm, or the like. A nearly parallel beam emitted along the Z-direction from the light source 1 has a cross section of a rectangular shape elongated along the X-direction, and is incident to a beam expander 2 consisting of a pair of lenses 2 a and 2 b. The lenses 2 a and 2 b have a negative refracting power and a positive refracting power, respectively, in the plane of FIG. 1 (or in the YZ plane). Therefore, the beam incident to the beam expander 2 is enlarged in the plane of FIG. 1 and shaped into a beam having a cross section of a predetermined rectangular shape.

The nearly parallel beam passing through the beam expander 2 as a beam shaping optical system is deflected into the Y-direction by a bending mirror 3, and then travels through a quarter wave plate 4 a, a half wave plate 4 b, a depolarizer (depolarizing element) 4 c, and a diffractive optical element 5 for annular illumination to enter an afocal lens 6. Here the quarter wave plate 4 a, half wave plate 4 b, and depolarizer 4 c constitute a polarization state converter 4, as described later. The afocal lens 6 is an afocal system (afocal optic) set so that the front focal position thereof approximately coincides with the position of the diffractive optical element 5 and so that the rear focal position thereof approximately coincides with the position of a predetermined plane 7 indicated by a dashed line in the drawing.

In general, a diffractive optical element is constructed by forming level differences with the pitch of approximately the wavelength of exposure light (illumination light) in a substrate and has the action of diffracting an incident beam at desired angles. Specifically, the diffractive optical element 5 for annular illumination has the following function: when a parallel beam having a rectangular cross section is incident thereto, it forms a light intensity distribution of an annular shape in its far field (or Fraunhofer diffraction region).

Therefore, the nearly parallel beam incident to the diffractive optical element 5 as a beam transforming element forms a light intensity distribution of an annular shape on the pupil plane of the afocal lens 6 and then emerges as a nearly parallel beam from the afocal lens 6. In an optical path between front lens unit 6 a and rear lens unit 6 b of the afocal lens 6 there is a conical axicon system 8 arranged on or near the pupil plane thereof, and the detailed configuration and action thereof will be described later. For easier description, the fundamental configuration and action will be described below, in disregard of the action of the conical axicon system 8.

The beam through the afocal lens 6 travels through a zoom lens 9 for variation of σ-value and a polarization-modulating element 10 and then enters a micro fly's eye lens (or fly's eye lens) 11 as an optical integrator. The configuration and action of the polarization-modulating element 10 will be described later. The micro fly's eye lens 11 is an optical element consisting of a number of micro lenses with a positive refracting power arranged lengthwise and breadthwise and densely. In general, a micro fly's eye lens is constructed, for example, by forming a micro lens group by etching of a plane-parallel plate.

Here each micro lens forming the micro fly's eye lens is much smaller than each lens element forming a fly's eye lens. The micro fly's eye lens is different from the fly's eye lens consisting of lens elements spaced from each other, in that a number of micro lenses (micro refracting surfaces) are integrally formed without being separated from each other. In the sense that lens elements with a positive refracting power are arranged lengthwise and breadthwise, however, the micro fly's eye lens is a wavefront splitting optical integrator of the same type as the fly's eye lens. Detailed explanation concerning the micro fly's eye lens capable of being used in the present invention is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,913,373(B2) which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The position of the predetermined plane 7 is arranged near the front focal position of the zoom lens 9, and the entrance surface of the micro fly's eye lens 11 is arranged near the rear focal position of the zoom lens 9. In other words, the zoom lens 9 arranges the predetermined plane 7 and the entrance surface of the micro fly's eye lens 11 substantially in the relation of Fourier transform and eventually arranges the pupil plane of the afocal lens 6 and the entrance surface of the micro fly's eye lens 11 approximately optically conjugate with each other.

Accordingly, for example, an illumination field of an annular shape centered around the optical axis AX is formed on the entrance surface of the micro fly's eye lens 1, as on the pupil plane of the afocal lens 6. The entire shape of this annular illumination field similarly varies depending upon the focal length of the zoom lens 9. Each micro lens forming the micro fly's eye lens 11 has a rectangular cross section similar to a shape of an illumination field to be formed on a mask M (eventually, a shape of an exposure region to be formed on a wafer W).

The beam incident to the micro fly's eye lens 11 is two-dimensionally split by a number of micro lenses to form on or near the rear focal plane (eventually on the illumination pupil) a secondary light source having much the same light intensity distribution as the illumination field formed by the incident beam, i.e., a secondary light source consisting of a substantial surface illuminant of an annular shape centered around the optical axis AX. Beams from the secondary light source formed on or near the rear focal plane of the micro fly's eye lens 11 travel through beam splitter 12 a and condenser optical system 13 to superposedly illuminate a mask blind 14.

In this manner, an illumination field of a rectangular shape according to the shape and focal length of each micro lens forming the micro fly's eye lens 11 is formed on the mask blind 14 as an illumination field stop. The internal configuration and action of polarization monitor 12 incorporating a beam splitter 12 a will be described later. Beams through a rectangular aperture (light transmitting portion) of the mask blind 14 are subject to light condensing action of imaging optical system 15 and thereafter superposedly illuminate the mask M on which a predetermined pattern is formed.

Namely, the imaging optical system 15 forms an image of the rectangular aperture of the mask blind 14 on the mask M. A beam passing through the pattern of mask M travels through a projection optical system PL to form an image of the mask pattern on the wafer W being a photosensitive substrate. In this manner, the pattern of the mask M is sequentially printed in each exposure area on the wafer W through full-wafer exposure or scan exposure with two-dimensional drive control of the wafer W in the plane (XY plane) perpendicular to the optical axis AX of the projection optical system PL.

In the polarization state converter 4, the quarter wave plate 4 a is arranged so that its crystallographic axis is rotatable around the optical axis AX, and it transforms incident light of elliptical polarization into light of linear polarization. The half wave plate 4 b is arranged so that its crystallographic axis is rotatable around the optical axis AX, and it changes the plane of polarization of linearly polarized light incident thereto. The depolarizer 4 c is composed of a wedge-shaped crystalline quartz prism and a wedge-shaped fused silica prism having complementary shapes. The crystalline quartz prism and the fused silica prism are constructed as an integral prism assembly so as to be set into and away from the illumination optical path.

Where the light source 1 is the KrF excimer laser light source or the ArF excimer laser light source, light emitted from these light sources typically has the degree of polarization of 95% or more and light of almost linear polarization is incident to the quarter wave plate 4 a. However, if a right-angle prism as a back-surface reflector is interposed in the optical path between the light source 1 and the polarization state converter 4, the linearly polarized light will be changed into elliptically polarized light by virtue of total reflection in the right-angle prism unless the plane of polarization of the incident, linearly polarized light agrees with the P-polarization plane or S-polarization plane.

In the case of the polarization state converter 4, for example, even if light of elliptical polarization is incident thereto because of the total reflection in the right-angle prism, light of linear polarization transformed by the action of the quarter wave plate 4 a will be incident to the half wave plate 4 b. Where the crystallographic axis of the half wave plate 4 b is set at an angle of 0° or 90° relative to the plane of polarization of the incident, linearly polarized light, the light of linear polarization incident to the half wave plate 4 b will pass as it is, without change in the plane of polarization.

Where the crystallographic axis of the half wave plate 4 b is set at an angle of 45° relative to the plane of polarization of the incident, linearly polarized light, the light of linear polarization incident to the half wave plate 4 b will be transformed into light of linear polarization with change of polarization plane of 90°. Furthermore, where the crystallographic axis of the crystalline quartz prism in the depolarizer 4 c is set at an angle of 45° relative to the polarization plane of the incident, linearly polarized light, the light of linear polarization incident to the crystalline quartz prism will be transformed (or depolarized) into light in an unpolarized state.

The polarization state converter 4 is arranged as follows: when the depolarizer 4 c is positioned in the illumination optical path, the crystallographic axis of the crystalline quartz prism makes the angle of 45° relative to the polarization plane of the incident, linearly polarized light. Incidentally, where the crystallographic axis of the crystalline quartz prism is set at the angle of 0° or 90° relative to the polarization plane of the incident, linearly polarized light, the light of linear polarization incident to the crystalline quartz prism will pass as it is, without change of the polarization plane. Where the crystallographic axis of the half wave plate 4 b is set at an angle of 22.5° relative to the polarization plane of incident, linearly polarized light, the light of linear polarization incident to the half wave plate 4 b will be transformed into light in an unpolarized state including a linear polarization component directly passing without change of the polarization plane and a linear polarization component with the polarization plane rotated by 90°.

The polarization state converter 4 is arranged so that light of linear polarization is incident to the half wave plate 4 b, as described above, and, for easier description hereinafter, it is assumed that light of linear polarization having the direction of polarization (direction of the electric field) along the Z-axis in FIG. 1 (hereinafter referred to as “Z-directionally polarized light”) is incident to the half wave plate 4 b. When the depolarizer 4 c is positioned in the illumination optical path and when the crystallographic axis of the half wave plate 4 b is set at the angle of 0° or 90° relative to the polarization plane (direction of polarization) of the Z-directionally polarized light incident thereto, the light of Z-directional polarization incident to the half wave plate 4 b passes as kept as Z-directionally polarized light without change of the polarization plane and enters the crystalline quartz prism in the depolarizer 4 c. Since the crystallographic axis of the crystalline quartz prism is set at the angle of 45° relative to the polarization plane of the Z-directionally polarized light incident thereto, the light of Z-directional polarization incident to the crystalline quartz prism is transformed into light in an unpolarized state.

The light depolarized through the crystalline quartz prism travels through the quartz prism as a compensator for compensating the traveling direction of the light and is incident into the diffractive optical element 5 while being in the depolarized state. On the other hand, if the crystallographic axis of the half wave plate 4 b is set at the angle of 45° relative to the polarization plane of the Z-directionally polarized light incident thereto, the light of Z-directional polarization incident to the half wave plate 4 b will be rotated in the polarization plane by 90° and transformed into light of linear polarization having the polarization direction (direction of the electric field) along the X-direction in FIG. 1 (hereinafter referred to as “X-directionally polarized light”) and the X-directionally polarized light will be incident to the crystalline quartz prism in the depolarizer 4 c. Since the crystallographic axis of the crystalline quartz prism is set at the angle of 45° relative to the polarization plane of the incident, X-directionally polarized light as well, the light of X-directional polarization incident to the crystalline quartz prism is transformed into light in the depolarized state, and the light travels through the quartz prism to be incident in the depolarized state into the diffractive optical element 5.

In contrast, when the depolarizer 4 c is set away from the illumination optical path, if the crystallographic axis of the half wave plate 4 b is set at the angle of 0° or 90° relative to the polarization plane of the Z-directionally polarized light incident thereto, the light of Z-directional polarization incident to the half wave plate 4 b will pass as kept as Z-directionally polarized light without change of the polarization plane, and will be incident in the Z-directionally polarized state into the diffractive optical element 5. If the crystallographic axis of the half wave plate 4 b is set at the angle of 45° relative to the polarization plane of the Z-directionally polarized light incident thereto on the other hand, the light of Z-directional polarization incident to the half wave plate 4 b will be transformed into light of X-directional polarization with the polarization plane rotated by 90°, and will be incident in the X-directionally polarized state into the diffractive optical element 5.

In the polarization state converter 4, as described above, the light in the depolarized state can be made incident to the diffractive optical element 5 when the depolarizer 4 c is set and positioned in the illumination optical path. When the depolarizer 4 c is set away from the illumination optical path and when the crystallographic axis of the half wave plate 4 b is set at the angle of 0° or 90° relative to the polarization plane of the Z-directionally polarized light incident thereto, the light in the Z-directionally polarized state can be made incident to the diffractive optical element 5. Furthermore, when the depolarizer 4 c is set away from the illumination optical path and when the crystallographic axis of the half wave plate 4 b is set at the angle of 45° relative to the polarization plane of the Z-directionally polarized light incident thereto, the light in the X-directionally polarized state can be made incident to the diffractive optical element 5.

In other words, the polarization state converter 4 is able to switch the polarization state of the incident light into the diffractive optical element 5 (therefore, the polarization state of light to illuminate the mask M and wafer W) between the linearly polarized state and the unpolarized state through the action of the polarization state converter consisting of the quarter wave plate 4 a, half wave plate 4 b, and depolarizer 4 c, and, in the case of the linearly polarized state, it is able to switch between mutually orthogonal polarization states (between the Z-directional polarization and the X-directional polarization).

Furthermore, when the polarization state converter 4 is so set that the half wave plate 4 b and depolarizer 4 c both are set away from the illumination optical path and that the crystallographic axis of the quarter wave plate 4 a makes a predetermined angle relative to the incident, elliptically polarized light, light in a circularly polarized state can be made incident to the diffractive optical element 5. In general, the polarization state of incident light to the diffractive optical element 5 can also be set in a linearly polarized state having a direction of polarization along an arbitrary direction by the action of the half wave plate 4 b.

Next, the conical axicon system 8 is composed of a first prism member 8 a whose plane is kept toward the light source and whose refracting surface of a concave conical shape is kept toward the mask, and a second prism member 8 b whose plane is kept toward the mask and whose refracting surface of a convex conical shape is kept toward the light source, in order from the light source side. The refracting surface of the concave conical shape of the first prism member 8 a and the refracting surface of the convex conical shape of the second prism member 8 b are formed in a complementary manner so as to be able to be brought into contact with each other. At least one of the first prism member 8 a and the second prism member 8 b is arranged movable along the optical axis AX, so that the spacing can be varied between the refracting surface of the concave conical shape of the first prism member 8 a and the refracting surface of the convex conical shape of the second prism member 8 b.

In a state in which the refracting surface of the concave conical shape of the first prism member 8 a and the refracting surface of the convex conical shape of the second prism member 8 b are in contact with each other, the conical axicon system 8 functions as a plane-parallel plate and has no effect on the secondary light source of the annular shape formed. However, when the refracting surface of the concave conical shape of the first prism member 8 a and the refracting surface of the convex conical shape of the second prism member 8 b are spaced from each other, the conical axicon system 8 functions a so-called beam expander. Therefore, the angle of the incident beam to the predetermined plane 7 varies according to change in the spacing of the conical axicon system 8.

FIG. 2 is an illustration to illustrate the action of the conical axicon system on the secondary light source of the annular shape. With reference to FIG. 2, the secondary light source 30 a of the minimum annular shape formed in a state where the spacing of the conical axicon system 8 is zero and where the focal length of the zoom lens 9 is set at the minimum (this state will be referred to hereinafter as a “standard state”) is changed into secondary light source 30 b of an annular shape with the outside diameter and inside diameter both enlarged and without change in the width (half of the difference between the inside diameter and the outside diameter: indicated by arrows in the drawing) when the spacing of the conical axicon system 8 is increased from zero to a predetermined value. In other words, an annular ratio (inside diameter/outside diameter) and size (outside diameter) both vary through the action of the conical axicon system 8, without change in the width of the secondary light source of the annular shape.

FIG. 3 is an illustration to illustrate the action of the zoom lens on the secondary light source of the annular shape. With reference to FIG. 3, the secondary light source 30 a of the annular shape formed in the standard state is changed into secondary light source 30 c of an annular shape whose entire shape is similarly enlarged by increasing the focal length of the zoom lens 9 from the minimum to a predetermined value. In other words, the width and size (outside diameter) both vary through the action of zoom lens 9, without change in the annular ratio of the secondary light source of the annular shape.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing the internal configuration of the polarization monitor shown in FIG. 1. With reference to FIG. 4, the polarization monitor 12 is provided with a first beam splitter 12 a disposed in the optical path between the micro fly's eye lens 11 and the condenser optical system 13. The first beam splitter 12 a has, for example, the form of a non-coated plane-parallel plate made of quartz glass (i.e., raw glass), and has a function of taking reflected light in a polarization state different from a polarization state of incident light, out of the optical path.

The light taken out of the optical path by the first beam splitter 12 a is incident to a second beam splitter 12 b. The second beam splitter 12 b has, for example, the form of a non-coated plane-parallel plate made of quartz glass as the first beam splitter 12 a does, and has a function of generating reflected light in a polarization state different from the polarization state of incident light. The polarization monitor is so set that the P-polarized light for the first beam splitter 12 a becomes the S-polarized light for the second beam splitter 12 b and that the S-polarized light for the first beam splitter 12 a becomes the P-polarized light for the second beam splitter 12 b.

Light transmitted by the second beam splitter 12 b is detected by first light intensity detector 12 c, while light reflected by the second beam splitter 12 b is detected by second light intensity detector 12 d. Outputs from the first light intensity detector 12 c and from the second light intensity detector 12 d are supplied each to a controller (not shown). The controller drives the quarter wave plate 4 a, half wave plate 4 b, and depolarizer 4 c constituting the polarization state converter 4, according to need.

As described above, the reflectance for the P-polarized light and the reflectance for the S-polarized light are substantially different in the first beam splitter 12 a and in the second beam splitter 12 b. In the polarization monitor 12, therefore, the reflected light from the first beam splitter 12 a includes the S-polarization component (i.e., the S-polarization component for the first beam splitter 12 a and P-polarization component for the second beam splitter 12 b), for example, which is approximately 10% of the incident light to the first beam splitter 12 a, and the P-polarization component (i.e., the P-polarization component for the first beam splitter 12 a and S-polarization component for the second beam splitter 12 b), for example, which is approximately 1% of the incident light to the first beam splitter 12 a.

The reflected light from the second beam splitter 12 b includes the P-polarization component (i.e., the P-polarization component for the first beam splitter 12 a and S-polarization component for the second beam splitter 12 b), for example, which is approximately 10%×1%=0.1% of the incident light to the first beam splitter 12 a, and the S-polarization component (i.e., the S-polarization component for the first beam splitter 12 a and P-polarization component for the second beam splitter 12 b), for example, which is approximately 1%×10%=0.1% of the incident light to the first beam splitter 12 a.

In the polarization monitor 12, as described above, the first beam splitter 12 a has the function of extracting the reflected light in the polarization state different from the polarization state of the incident light out of the optical path in accordance with its reflection characteristic. As a result, though there is slight influence of variation of polarization due to the polarization characteristic of the second beam splitter 12 b, it is feasible to detect the polarization state (degree of polarization) of the incident light to the first beam splitter 12 a and, therefore, the polarization state of the illumination light to the mask M, based on the output from the first light intensity detector 12 c (information about the intensity of transmitted light from the second beam splitter 12 b, i.e., information about the intensity of light virtually in the same polarization state as that of the reflected light from the first beam splitter 12 a).

The polarization monitor 12 is so set that the P-polarized light for the first beam splitter 12 a becomes the S-polarized light for the second beam splitter 12 b and that the S-polarized light for the first beam splitter 12 a becomes the P-polarized light for the second beam splitter 12 b. As a result, it is feasible to detect the light quantity (intensity) of the incident light to the first beam splitter 12 a and, therefore, the light quantity of the illumination light to the mask M, with no substantial effect of the change in the polarization state of the incident light to the first beam splitter 12 a, based on the output from the second light intensity detector 12 d (information about the intensity of light successively reflected by the first beam splitter 12 a and the second beam splitter 12 b).

In this manner, it is feasible to detect the polarization state of the incident light to the first beam splitter 12 a and, therefore, to determine whether the illumination light to the mask M is in the desired unpolarized state, linearly polarized state, or circularly polarized state, using the polarization monitor 12. When the controller determines that the illumination light to the mask M (eventually, to the wafer W) is not in the desired unpolarized state, linearly polarized state, or circularly polarized state, based on the detection result of the polarization monitor 12, it drives and adjusts the quarter wave plate 4 a, half wave plate 4 b, and depolarizer 4 c constituting the polarization state converter 4 so that the state of the illumination light to the mask M can be adjusted into the desired unpolarized state, linearly polarized state, or circularly polarized state.

Quadrupole illumination can be implemented by setting a diffractive optical element for quadrupole illumination (not shown) in the illumination optical path, instead of the diffractive optical element 5 for annular illumination. The diffractive optical element for quadrupole illumination has such a function that when a parallel beam having a rectangular cross section is incident thereto, it forms a light intensity distribution of a quadrupole shape in the far field thereof. Therefore, the beam passing through the diffractive optical element for quadrupole illumination forms an illumination field of a quadrupole shape consisting of four circular illumination fields centered around the optical axis AX, for example, on the entrance surface of the micro fly's eye lens 11. As a result, the secondary light source of the same quadrupole shape as the illumination field formed on the entrance surface is also formed on or near the rear focal plane of the micro fly's eye lens 11.

In addition, ordinary circular illumination can be implemented by setting a diffractive optical element for circular illumination (not shown) in the illumination optical path, instead of the diffractive optical element 5 for annular illumination. The diffractive optical element for circular illumination has such a function that when a parallel beam having a rectangular cross section is incident thereto, it forms a light intensity distribution of a circular shape in the far field. Therefore, a beam passing through the diffractive optical element for circular illumination forms a circular illumination field centered around the optical axis AX, for example, on the entrance surface of the micro fly's eye lens 11. As a result, the secondary light source of the same circular shape as the illumination field formed on the entrance surface is also formed on or near the rear focal plane of the micro fly's eye lens 11.

Furthermore, a variety of multipole illuminations (dipole illumination, octapole illumination, etc.) can be implemented by setting other diffractive optical elements for multipole illuminations (not shown), instead of the diffractive optical element 5 for annular illumination. Likewise, modified illuminations in various forms can be implemented by setting diffractive optical elements with appropriate characteristics (not shown) in the illumination optical path, instead of the diffractive optical element 5 for annular illumination.

FIG. 5 is an illustration schematically showing the configuration of the polarization-modulating element shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is an illustration to illustrate the optical activity of crystalline quartz. FIG. 7 is an illustration schematically showing the secondary light source of the annular shape set in the azimuthal polarization state by the action of the polarization-modulating element. The polarization-modulating element 10 according to the present embodiment is located immediately before the micro fly's eye lens 11, i.e., on or near the pupil of the illumination optical apparatus (1 to PL). Therefore, in the case of the annular illumination, the beam having an approximately annular cross section centered around the optical axis AX is incident to the polarization-modulating element 10.

With reference to FIG. 5, the polarization-modulating element 10 has an effective region of an annular shape centered around the optical axis AX as a whole, and this effective region of the annular shape is composed of eight elementary elements of a sector shape as circumferentially equally divided around the optical axis AX. Among these eight elementary elements, a pair of elementary elements facing each other with the optical axis AX in between have the same characteristic. Namely, the eight elementary elements include four types of elementary elements 10A-10D two each with different thicknesses (lengths in the direction of the optical axis) along the direction of transmission of light (Y-direction).

Specifically, the thickness of the first elementary elements 10A is the largest, the thickness of the fourth elementary elements 10D is the smallest, and the thickness of the second elementary elements 10B is set larger than the thickness of the third elementary elements 10C. As a result, one surface (e.g., the entrance surface) of the polarization-modulating element 10 is planar, while the other surface (e.g., the exit surface) is uneven because of the differences among the thicknesses of the elementary elements 10A-10D. It is also possible to form the both surfaces (the entrance surface and exit surface) of the polarization-modulating element 10 in an uneven shape.

In the present embodiment, each elementary element 10A-10D is made of crystalline quartz as a crystalline material being an optical material with optical activity, and the crystallographic axis of each elementary element 10A-10D is set to be approximately coincident with the optical axis AX, i.e., with the traveling direction of incident light. The optical activity of crystalline quartz will be briefly described below with reference to FIG. 6. With reference to FIG. 6, an optical member 100 of a plane-parallel plate shape made of crystalline quartz and in a thickness d is arranged so that its crystallographic axis coincides with the optical axis AX. In this case, by virtue of the optical activity of the optical member 100, linearly polarized light incident thereto emerges in a state in which its-polarization direction is rotated by θ around the optical axis AX.

At this time, the rotation angle (angle of optical rotation) θ of the polarization direction due to the optical activity of the optical member 100 is represented by Eq (a) below, using the thickness d of the optical member 100 and the rotatory power ρ of crystalline quartz.

θ=d·p  (a)

In general, the rotatory power p of crystalline quartz has wavelength dependence (a property that the value of the optical rotatory power differs depending upon the wavelength of light used: optical rotatory dispersion) and, specifically, it tends to increase with decrease in the wavelength of light used. According to the description on page 167 in “Applied Optics II,” the rotatory power ρ of crystalline quartz for light having the wavelength of 250.3 nm is 153.9°/mm.

In the present embodiment, the first elementary elements 10A are designed in such a thickness dA that when linearly polarized light having the polarization direction along the Z-direction is incident thereto, they output light of linear polarization having the polarization direction along a direction resulting from +180° rotation of the Z-direction around the Y-axis, i.e., along the Z-direction. In this case, therefore, the polarization direction of beams passing through a pair of arc (bow shape) regions 31A formed by beams subject to the optical rotating action of a pair of first elementary elements 10A, in the secondary light source 31 of the annular shape shown in FIG. 7, is the Z-direction.

The second elementary elements 10B are designed in such a thickness dB that when linearly polarized light having the polarization direction along the Z-direction is incident thereto, they output light of linear polarization having the polarization direction along a direction resulting from +135° rotation of the Z-direction around the Y-axis, i.e., along a direction resulting from −45° rotation of the Z-direction around the Y-axis. In this case, therefore, the polarization direction of beams passing through a pair of arc (bow shape) regions 31B formed by beams subject to the optical rotating action of a pair of second elementary elements 10B, in the secondary light source 31 of the annular shape shown in FIG. 7, is a direction obtained by rotating the Z-direction by −45° around the Y-axis.

The third elementary elements 10C are designed in such a thickness dC that when linearly polarized light having the polarization direction along the Z-direction is incident thereto, they output light of linear polarization having the polarization direction along a direction resulting from +90° rotation of the Z-direction around the Y-axis, i.e., along the X-direction. In this case, therefore, the polarization direction of beams passing through a pair of arc (bow shape) regions 31C formed by beams subject to the optical rotating action of a pair of third elementary elements 10C, in the secondary light source 31 of the annular shape shown in FIG. 7, is the X-direction.

The fourth elementary elements 10D are designed in such a thickness dD that when linearly polarized light having the polarization direction along the Z-direction is incident thereto, they output light of linear polarization having the polarization direction along a direction resulting from +45° rotation of the Z-direction around the Y-axis. In this case, therefore, the polarization direction of beams passing through a pair of arc (bow shape) regions 31D formed by beams subject to the optical rotating action of a pair of fourth elementary elements 10D, in the secondary light source 31 of the annular shape shown in FIG. 7, is a direction obtained by rotating the Z-direction by +45° around the Y-axis.

The polarization-modulating element 10 can be constructed by combining the eight elementary elements prepared separately, or the polarization-modulating element 10 can also be constructed by forming the required uneven shape (level differences) in a crystalline quartz substrate of a plane-parallel plate shape. For allowing the ordinary circular illumination with the polarization-modulating element 10 being kept in the optical path, the polarization-modulating element 10 is provided with a central region 10E of a circular shape in the size not less than 3/10, preferably, not less than ⅓ of the radial size of the effective region of the polarization-modulating element 10 and without optical activity. The central region 10E may be made of an optical material without optical activity, for example, like quartz, or may be simply a circular aperture. It is, however, noted that the central region 10E is not an essential element for the polarization-modulating element 10. The size of the central region 10E determines the boundary between the region in the azimuthal polarization state and the other region.

In the present embodiment, on the occasion of the circumferentially polarized annular illumination (modified illumination in which beams passing through the secondary light source of the annular shape are set in the azimuthal polarization state), the linearly polarized light having the polarization direction along the Z-direction is made incident to the polarization-modulating element 10. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the secondary light source of the annular shape (illumination pupil distribution of annular shape) 31 is formed on or near the rear focal plane of the micro fly's eye lens 11, and beams passing through this secondary light source 31 of the annular shape are set in the azimuthal polarization state. In the azimuthal polarization state, the beams passing through the respective arc (bow shape) regions 31A-31D constituting the secondary light source 31 of the annular shape turn into a linearly polarized state having the polarization direction approximately coincident with a tangential direction to a circle centered around the optical axis AX, at the central position along the circumferential direction of each arc region 31A-31D.

In this manner, the present embodiment, different from the conventional technology giving rise to the large loss of light quantity at the aperture stop, is able to form the secondary light source 31 of the annular shape in the azimuthal polarization state, with no substantial loss of light quantity, through the optical rotating action of the polarization-modulating element 10. In other words, the illumination optical apparatus of the present embodiment is able to form the illumination pupil distribution of the annular shape in the azimuthal polarization state while well suppressing the loss of light quantity. Furthermore, since the present embodiment uses the polarizing action of the optical elements, it has the excellent effect that the polarization-modulating element itself is extremely easy to produce and, typically, the thickness tolerance of each elementary element can be set to be extremely loose.

In the circumferentially polarized annular illumination based on the illumination pupil distribution of the annular shape in the azimuthal polarization state, the light illuminating the wafer W as a last surface to be illuminated is in a polarized state in which the principal component is S-polarized light. Here the S-polarized light is linearly polarized light having the polarization direction along a direction normal to the plane of incidence (i.e., polarized light with the electric vector oscillating in the direction normal to the plane of incidence). The plane of incidence is defined as follows: when light arrives at a boundary surface of a medium (surface to be illuminated: surface of wafer W), the plane of incidence is a plane including a normal to the boundary surface at that point and the direction of incidence of light.

Consequently, the circumferentially polarized annular illumination realizes an improvement in the optical performance (depth of focus and the like) of the projection optical system and enables formation of a mask pattern image with high contrast on the wafer (photosensitive substrate). Namely, since the exposure apparatus of the present embodiment uses the illumination optical apparatus capable of forming the illumination pupil distribution of the annular shape in the azimuthal polarization state while well suppressing the loss of light quantity, it is able to transcribe a fine pattern under an appropriate illumination condition faithfully and with high throughput.

Incidentally, the present embodiment enables radially polarized annular illumination (modified illumination in which beams passing through the secondary light source of the annular shape are set in a radially polarized state) by injecting linearly polarized light having the polarization direction along the X-direction into the polarization-modulating element 10 and thereby setting the beams passing through the secondary light source 32 of the annular shape in the radially polarized state as shown in FIG. 8. In the radially polarized state, beams passing through the respective arc (bow shape) regions 32A-32D constituting the secondary light source 32 of the annular shape are in the linearly polarized state having the polarization direction approximately coincident with a radial direction of a circle centered around the optical axis AX, at the central position along the circumferential direction of each arc region 32A-32D.

In the radially polarized annular illumination based on the illumination pupil distribution of the annular shape in the radially polarized state, the light illuminating the wafer W as a last surface to be illuminated is in a polarized state in which the principal component is P-polarized light. The P-polarized light herein is linearly polarized light having the polarization direction along a direction parallel to the plane of incidence defined as described above (i.e., polarized light with the electric vector oscillating in the direction parallel to the plane of incidence). In consequence, the radially polarized annular illumination enables formation of a good mask pattern image on the wafer (photosensitive substrate) while keeping the reflectance of light low on the resist applied onto the wafer W.

The above-described embodiment realizes the circumferentially polarized annular illumination and the radially polarized annular illumination by switching the beam incident to the polarization-modulating element 10 between the linearly polarized state having the polarization direction along the Z-direction and the linearly polarized state having the polarization direction along the X-direction. However, without having to be limited to this, it is also possible to realize the circumferentially polarized annular illumination and the radially polarized annular illumination, for example, by switching the polarization-modulating element 10 between a first state shown in FIG. 5 and a second state resulting from 90° rotation around the optical axis AX, for the incident beam in the linearly polarized state having the polarization direction along the Z-direction or along the X-direction.

In the foregoing embodiment the polarization-modulating element 10 is located immediately before the micro fly's eye lens 11. However, without having to be limited to this, the polarization-modulating element 10 can also be located generally on or near the pupil of the illumination optical apparatus (1 to PL), e.g., on or near the pupil of the projection optical system PL, on or near the pupil of the imaging optical system 15, or immediately before the conical axicon system 8 (on or near the pupil of afocal lens 6).

However, where the polarization-modulating element 10 is located in the projection optical system PL or in the imaging optical system 15, the required effective diameter (clear aperture diameter) of the polarization-modulating element 10 is prone to become large, and it is rather undesirable in view of the current circumstances in which it is difficult to obtain a large crystalline quartz substrate with high quality. When the polarization-modulating element 10 is located immediately before the conical axicon system 8, the required effective diameter (clear aperture diameter) of the polarization-modulating element 10 can be kept small. However, the distance is long to the wafer W being the last surface to be illuminated, and an element to change the polarization state like an antireflection coat on a lens or a reflecting film on a mirror is likely to be interposed in the optical path to the wafer. Therefore, this arrangement is not so preferable. In passing, the antireflection coat on the lens or the reflecting film on the mirror is likely to cause the difference of reflectance depending upon the polarization states (P-polarization and S-polarization) and angles of incidence and, in turn, to change the polarization state of light.

In the foregoing embodiment, at least one surface of the polarization-modulating element 10 (e.g., the exit surface) is formed in the uneven shape and, therefore, the polarization-modulating element 10 has a thickness profile discretely (discontinuously) varying in the circumferential direction. However, without having to be limited to this, at least one surface of the polarization-modulating element 10 (e.g., the exit surface) can also be formed in such a curved shape that the polarization-modulating element 10 has a thickness profile virtually discontinuously varying in the circumferential direction.

In the foregoing embodiment the polarization-modulating element 10 is composed of the eight elementary elements of the sector shape corresponding to the division of the effective region of the annular shape into eight segments. However, without having to be limited to this, the polarization-modulating element 10 can also be composed, for example, of eight elementary elements of a sector shape corresponding to division of the effective region of a circular shape into eight segments, or of four elementary elements of a sector shape corresponding to division of the effective region of a circular shape or annular shape into four segments, or of sixteen elementary elements of a sector shape corresponding to division of the effective region of a circular shape or annular shape into sixteen segments. Namely, a variety of modification examples can be contemplated as to the shape of the effective region of the polarization-modulating element 10, the number of segments in the division of the effective region (the number of elementary elements), and so on.

In the foregoing embodiment each elementary element 10A-10D (therefore, the polarization-modulating element 10) is made of crystalline quartz. However, without having to be limited to this, each elementary element can also be made of another appropriate optical material with optical activity. In this case, it is preferable to use an optical material with an optical rotatory power of not less than 100°/mm for light of a wavelength used. Namely, use of an optical material with a small optical rotatory power is undesirable because the thickness necessary for obtaining the required rotation angle of the polarization direction becomes too large, so as to cause a loss of light quantity.

In the foregoing embodiment the polarization-modulating element 10 is fixedly provided in the illumination optical path, but the polarization-modulating element 10 may be arranged to be set into and away from the illumination optical path. The above embodiment showed the example as a combination of the annular illumination with the S-polarized light for the wafer W, but it is also possible to combine the S-polarized light for the wafer W with multipole illumination, such as dipole or quadrupole illumination, and with circular illumination. In the foregoing embodiment the illumination conditions for the mask M and the imaging conditions (numerical aperture, aberrations, etc.) for the wafer W can be automatically set, for example, according to the type of the pattern on the mask M or the like.

FIG. 9 shows a modification example in which a plurality of polarization-modulating elements are arranged in a replaceable state. The modification example of FIG. 9 has a configuration similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, but it is different in that it has a turret 10T enabling replacement of the plurality of polarization-modulating elements.

FIG. 10 is an illustration showing plural types of polarization-modulating elements 10 a-10 e mounted on the turret 10T as a replacing mechanism in FIG. 9. In this modification example, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the plural types of polarization-modulating elements 10 a-10 e are provided on the turret 10T rotatable around an axis along a direction parallel to the optical axis AX, and these plural types of polarization-modulating elements 10 a-10 e are arranged replaceable by rotation operation of the turret 10T. FIG. 9 depicts only the polarization-modulating elements 10 a, 10 b out of the plural types of polarization-modulating elements 10 a-10 e. The replacing mechanism for the polarization-modulating elements is not limited to the turret 10T, but may be, for example, a slider.

FIGS. 11A-11E are illustrations showing respective configurations of the plural types of polarization-modulating elements 10 a-10 e. In FIG. 11A, the first polarization-modulating element 10 a has the same configuration as the polarization-modulating element 10 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 11B, the second polarization-modulating element 10 b has a configuration similar to the polarization-modulating element 10 a shown in FIG. 11A, but is different in that it is provided with a depolarizing member 104 c in central region 10E. This depolarizing member 104 c has a configuration similar to the depolarizer 4 c shown in FIG. 1, and has a function of transforming incident light of linear polarization into light in a depolarized state.

In FIG. 11C, the third polarization-modulating element 10 c has a configuration similar to the polarization-modulating element 10 a shown in FIG. 11A, but is different in that the size of the central region 10E is larger (i.e., in that the width of the first to fourth elementary elements 10A-10D is smaller). In FIG. 11D, the fourth polarization-modulating element 10 d has a configuration similar to the polarization-modulating element 10 c shown in FIG. 11C, but is different in that a depolarizing member 104 c is provided in the central region 10E.

In FIG. 11E, the fifth polarization-modulating element 10 e is constructed by combining six elementary elements 10C, 10F, 10G, different from the eight elementary elements. The fifth polarization-modulating element 10 e has the effective region of an annular shape centered around the optical axis AX as a whole, and this effective region of the annular shape is composed of six elementary elements 10C, 10F, 10G of a sector shape as equally divided in the circumferential direction around the optical axis AX. Among these six elementary elements 10C, 10F, 10G, a pair of elementary elements facing each other with the optical axis AX in between have the same characteristic. Namely, the six elementary elements 10C, 10F, 10G include three types of elementary elements 10C, 10F, 10G with mutually different thicknesses (lengths in the direction of the optical axis) along the direction of transmission of light (the Y-direction) two each.

The elementary elements 10C are members having the same function as the third elementary elements 10C shown in FIG. 7, and thus the description of the function thereof is omitted herein. The elementary elements 10F are designed in such a thickness dF that when linearly polarized light having the polarization direction along the Z-direction is incident thereto, they output light of linear polarization having the polarization direction along a direction resulting from +150° rotation of the Z-direction around the Y-axis, i.e., along a direction resulting from −30° rotation of the Z-direction around the Y-axis. The elementary elements 10G are designed in such a thickness dG that when linearly polarized light having the polarization direction along the Z-direction is incident thereto, they output light of linear polarization having the polarization direction along a direction resulting from +30° rotation of the Z-direction around the Y-axis. A depolarizing member 104 c may be provided in place of the central region 10E.

Referring again to FIG. 10, the turret 10T is provided with an opening 40 without any polarization-modulating element, and this opening 40 is located in the illumination optical path in a case where another polarized illumination is implemented different from the circumferentially polarized illumination, or in a case where unpolarized illumination is implemented under a large σ-value (σ value=numerical aperture on the mask side of the illumination optical apparatus/numerical aperture on the mask side of the projection optical system).

The above described only the examples wherein the central region 10E made of the circular opening or the material without optical activity, or the depolarizing member 104 c was provided in the central region of the polarization-modulating elements 10 a-10 e mounted on the turret 10T, but it is also possible to mount polarization-modulating elements without central region 10E nor depolarizing member 104 c (i.e., polarization-modulating elements consisting of elementary elements of a sector shape).

FIGS. 12A-12C are illustrations schematically showing examples of the secondary light source set in the azimuthal polarization state by the action of the polarization-modulating element. In FIGS. 12A-12C, the polarization-modulating element is also illustrated in a superimposed manner in order to facilitate understanding.

FIG. 12A shows the secondary light source 33 of an octapole shape in a case where a diffractive optical element (beam transforming element) for forming a light intensity distribution of an octapole shape in the far field (or Fraunhofer diffraction region) is located in the illumination optical path, instead of the diffractive optical element 5, and where the polarization-modulating element 10 a or 10 b is located in the illumination optical path. Beams passing through the secondary light source 33 of the octapole shape are set in the azimuthal polarization state. In the azimuthal polarization state, the beams passing through the respective eight circular regions 33A-33D constituting the secondary light source 33 of the octapole shape are in the linearly polarized state having the polarization direction approximately coincident with a circumferential direction of a circle connecting these eight circular regions 33A-33D, i.e., with a tangential direction to the circle connecting these eight circular regions 33A-33D. FIG. 12A shows the example wherein the secondary light source 33 of the octapole shape is composed of the eight circular regions 33A-33D, but the shape of the eight regions is not limited to the circular shape.

FIG. 12B shows the secondary light source 34 of a quadrupole shape in a case where a diffractive optical element (beam transforming element) for forming a light intensity distribution of a quadrupole shape in the far field (or Fraunhofer diffraction region) is located in the illumination optical path, instead of the diffractive optical element 5, and where the polarization-modulating element 10 c or 10 d is located in the illumination optical path. Beams passing through the secondary light source 34 of the quadrupole shape are set in the azimuthal polarization state. In the azimuthal polarization state, the beams passing through the respective four regions 34A, 34C constituting the secondary light source 34 of the quadrupole shape are in the linearly polarized state having the polarization direction approximately coincident with a circumferential direction of a circle connecting these four regions 34A, 34C, i.e., with a tangential direction to the circle connecting these four regions 34A, 34C. FIG. 12B shows the example wherein the secondary light source 34 of the quadrupole shape is composed of four regions 34A, 34C of an almost elliptical shape, but the shape of the four regions is not limited to the almost elliptical shape.

FIG. 12C shows the secondary light source 35 of a hexapole shape in a case where a diffractive optical element (beam transforming element) for forming a light intensity distribution of a hexapole shape in the far field (or Fraunhofer diffraction region) is located in the illumination optical path, instead of the diffractive optical element 5, and where the polarization-modulating element 10 e is located in the illumination optical path. Beams passing through the secondary light source 35 of the hexapole shape are set in the azimuthal polarization state. In the azimuthal polarization state, the beams passing through the respective six regions 35C, 35F, 35G constituting the secondary light source 35 of the hexapole shape are in the linearly polarized state having the polarization direction approximately coincident with a circumferential direction of a circle connecting these six regions 35C, 35F, 35G, i.e., with a tangential direction to the circle connecting these six regions 35C, 35F, 35G. FIG. 12C shows the example wherein the secondary light source 35 of the hexapole shape is composed of the four regions 35C, 35F, 35G of an almost trapezoidal shape, but the shape of the six regions is not limited to the almost trapezoidal shape.

The foregoing embodiment and modification example showed the polarization-modulating elements fixed around the optical axis thereof, but the polarization-modulating element may be arranged rotatable around the optical axis. FIG. 13 is an illustration schematically showing a configuration of polarization-modulating element 10 f arranged rotatable around the optical axis AX.

In FIG. 13, the polarization-modulating element 10 f is composed of a combination of four elementary elements 10A, 1° C. The polarization-modulating element 10 f has the effective region of an annular shape centered around the optical axis AX as a whole, and this effective region of the annular shape is composed of four elementary elements 10A, 10C of a sector shape as equally divided in the circumferential direction around the optical axis AX. Among these four elementary elements 10A, 10C, a pair of elementary elements facing each other with the optical axis AX in between have the same characteristic. Namely, the four elementary elements 10A, 10C include two types of elementary elements 10A, 10C two each with mutually different thicknesses (lengths in the direction of the optical axis) along the direction of transmission of light (the Y-direction).

The elementary elements 10A are members having the same function as the first elementary elements 10A shown in FIG. 7, and the elementary elements 10C members having the same function as the third elementary elements 10C shown in FIG. 7. Therefore, the description of the functions is omitted herein. A depolarizing member 104 c may be provided in place of the central region 10E.

This-polarization-modulating element 10 f is arranged to be rotatable around the optical axis AX and, for example, is rotatable by +45° or −45° around the optical axis AX. FIGS. 14A-14C are illustrations schematically showing examples of the secondary light source set in the azimuthal polarization state by the action of the polarization-modulating element 10 f. In FIGS. 14A-14C, the polarization-modulating element 10 f is also illustrated in a superimposed manner in order to facilitate understanding.

FIG. 14A shows the secondary light source 36 (36A) of a dipole shape in a case where a diffractive optical element (beam transforming element) for forming a light intensity distribution of a dipole shape in the far field (or Fraunhofer diffraction region) is set in the illumination optical path, instead of the diffractive optical element 5, and where the polarization-modulating element 10 f is located in a state at the rotation angle of 0° (standard state) in the illumination optical path. In this case, beams passing through the secondary light source 36 (36A) of the dipole shape are set in a vertically polarized state.

FIG. 14B shows the secondary light source 37 of a quadrupole shape in a case where a diffractive optical element (beam transforming element) for forming a light intensity distribution of a quadrupole shape in the far field (or Fraunhofer diffraction region) is located in the illumination optical path, instead of the diffractive optical element 5, and where the polarization-modulating element 10 f is located in the state at the rotation angle of 0° (standard state) in the illumination optical path. In this case, beams passing through the secondary light source 37 of the quadrupole shape are set in the azimuthal polarization state. The light intensity distribution of the quadrupole shape in FIG. 14B is localized in the vertical direction (Z-direction) and in the horizontal direction (X-direction) in the plane of the drawing.

In the azimuthal polarization state, beams passing through the respective four circular regions 37A, 37C constituting the secondary light source 37 of the quadrupole shape are in the linearly polarized state having the polarization direction along a circumferential direction of a circle connecting these four circular regions 37A, 37C, i.e., with a tangential direction to the circle connecting these four circular regions 37A, 37C. FIG. 14B shows the example in which the secondary light source 37 of the quadrupole shape is composed of the four circular regions 37A, 37C, but the shape of the four regions is not limited to the circular shape.

FIG. 14C shows the secondary light source 38 of a quadrupole shape in a case where a diffractive optical element (beam transforming element) for forming a light intensity distribution of a quadrupole shape localized in the direction of +45° (−135°) in the plane of the drawing and in the direction of −45° (+135°) in the plane of the drawing in the far field (or Fraunhofer diffraction region) is located in the illumination optical path, instead of the diffractive optical element shown in FIG. 14B, and where the polarization-modulating element 10 f is set in a rotated state at the rotation angle of +45° (i.e., in a state in which it is rotated by 45° clockwise relative to the standard state) in the illumination optical path.

In FIG. 14C, the half wave plate 4 b in the polarization state converter 4 is rotated around the optical axis, whereby the linearly polarized light having the polarization direction along the direction of +45° (the direction of −135°) is made incident to the polarization-modulating element 10 f. The elementary elements 10A have the function of rotating the polarization direction of the incident, linearly polarized light by 180°±n×180° (n is an integer), and the elementary elements 10C have the function of rotating the polarization direction of the incident, linearly polarized light by 90°±n×180° (n is an integer). Therefore, beams passing through the secondary light source 38 of the quadrupole shape are set in the azimuthal polarization state.

In the azimuthal polarization state shown in FIG. 14C, beams passing through the respective four circular regions 38B, 38D constituting the secondary light source 38 of the quadrupole shape are in the linearly polarized state having the polarization direction along a circumferential direction of a circle connecting these four circular regions 38B, 38D, i.e., with a tangential direction to the circle connecting these four circular regions 38B, 38D. FIG. 14C shows the example in which the secondary light source 38 of the quadrupole shape is composed of the four circular regions 38B, 38D, but the shape of the four regions is not limited to the circular shape.

Through the changing operation of the polarization direction by the polarization state converter 4 and the rotation operation of the polarization-modulating element 10 f, as described above, the azimuthal polarization state can be realized by the secondary light source of the quadrupole shape localized in the +45° (−135°) direction and in the −45′ (+135°) direction, by the secondary light source of the quadrupole shape localized in the 0° (+180°) direction and in the 90° (270°) direction or in the vertical and horizontal directions, or by the secondary light source of the dipole shape localized in the 0° (+180°) direction or in the 90° (270°) direction, i.e., in the vertical or horizontal direction.

The polarization-modulating element composed of the eight elementary elements of the sector shape as equally divided in the circumferential direction around the optical axis AX may be arranged rotatable around the optical axis AX. For example, when the polarization-modulating element composed of the eight divisional elementary elements (e.g., the polarization-modulating element 10 a) is rotated by +45° around the optical axis AX, as shown in FIG. 15A, the beams passing through the respective eight circular regions 39A-39D constituting the secondary light source 39 of the octapole shape are in the linearly polarized state having the polarization direction resulting from −45° rotation relative to the circumferential direction of the circle connecting these eight circular regions 39A-39D (i.e., relative to the tangential direction to the circle connecting these eight circular regions 39A-39D).

In a case, as shown in FIG. 15B, where the beams passing through the respective eight circular regions constituting the secondary light source of the octapole shape are elliptically polarized light having the major axis along a direction resulting from +45° rotation relative to the circumferential direction of the circle connecting these eight circular regions (i.e., relative to the tangential direction to the circle connecting these eight circular regions), an approximately azimuthal polarization state can be achieved, as shown in FIG. 15C, by rotating the polarization-modulating element (e.g., polarization-modulating element 10 a) by +45° around the optical axis AX as shown in FIG. 15A.

FIG. 16 shows an example in which the polarization-modulating element is located at a position immediately before the conical axicon system 8 (i.e., at a position near the entrance side), among locations near the pupil of the illumination optical apparatus. In this example of FIG. 16, the zoom action of the zoom lens system 9 results in changing the size of the image of the central region 10E projected onto the entrance surface of micro fly's eye lens 11 and the size of the images of the respective elementary elements 10A-10D projected onto the entrance surface of micro fly's eye lens 1, and the operation of the conical axicon system 8 results in changing the width in the radial direction around the optical axis AX in the images of the respective elementary elements 10A-10D projected onto the entrance surface of micro fly's eye lens 11.

Therefore, in a case where the polarization-modulating element having the central region 10E (or depolarizing member 104 c) is located nearer the light source than the optical system with the zoom action (zoom lens 9) as in the modification example shown in FIG. 16, the size of the central region 10E can be determined with consideration to the fact that the region occupied by the central region 10E is changed with zooming of the zoom lens 9.

In a case where the polarization-modulating element having the central region 10E (or depolarizing member 104 c) is located nearer the light source than the optical system with the action of changing the annular ratio (the conical axicon system 8) as in the modification example shown in FIG. 16, the apparatus is preferably configured to satisfy at least one of Conditions (1) and (2) below, as shown in FIG. 17.

(10in+ΔA)/10out<0.75  (1)

0.4<(10in+ΔA)/10out  (2)

The above conditions follow the following notation:

10in: effective radius of central region 10E of polarization-modulating element 10,

10out: outside effective radius of polarization-modulating element 10, and

ΔA: increase of the inside radius of the beam having passed through the optical system with the action of changing the annular ratio.

If Condition (1) is not met, the width of the region of the annular shape transformed into the azimuthal polarization state by the polarization-modulating element 10 will become too small to achieve the circumferentially polarized illumination based on the secondary light source of the annular shape or multipole shape at a small annular ratio; thus it is undesirable. If Condition (2) is not met, the diameter of the beam passing through the central region of the polarization-modulating element 10 will become too small to achieve small-σ illumination without change in the polarization state, for example, unless the polarization-modulating element 10 is set off the illumination optical path; thus it is undesirable.

As shown in FIG. 18, the polarization-modulating element may be located at a position nearer the mask than the micro fly's eye lens 11, among locations near the pupil of the illumination optical apparatus; specifically, near the pupil position of the imaging optical system 15 for projecting the image of mask blind 14 onto the mask. In the embodiments shown in FIG. 16 and in FIG. 18, the plurality of polarization-modulating elements may also be arranged replaceable as in the embodiment in FIGS. 9 to 11.

In the above-described embodiments, if an optical system (the illumination optical system or the projection optical system) nearer the wafer W than the polarization-modulating element 10 has-polarization aberration (retardation), the polarization direction can vary by virtue of this-polarization aberration. In this case, the direction of the plane of polarization rotated by the polarization-modulating element 10 can be set in consideration of the influence of the polarization aberration of these optical systems. In a case where a reflecting member is located in the optical path on the wafer W side with respect to the polarization-modulating element 10, a phase difference can occur between polarization directions of light reflected by this reflecting member. In this case, the direction of the plane of polarization rotated by the polarization-modulating element 10 can be set in consideration of the phase difference of the beam caused by the polarization characteristic of the reflecting surface.

An embodiment of a technique of evaluating the polarization state will be described below. In the present embodiment, the polarization state of the beam arriving at the wafer W as a photosensitive substrate is detected using a wafer surface polarization monitor 90 which can be attached to a side of a wafer stage (substrate stage) holding the wafer W as a photosensitive substrate. The wafer surface polarization monitor 90 may be provided in the wafer stage or in a measurement stage separate from the wafer stage.

FIG. 19 is an illustration showing a schematic configuration of the wafer surface polarization monitor 90 for detecting the polarization state and optical intensity of the light illuminating the wafer W. As shown in FIG. 19, the wafer surface polarization monitor 90 is provided with a pinhole member 91 which can be positioned at or near the position of the wafer W. Light passing through a pinhole 91 a in the pinhole member 91 travels through a collimating lens 92 located so that its front focal position is at or near the position of the image plane of the projection optical system PL, to become a nearly parallel beam, and the beam is reflected by a reflector 93 to enter a relay lens system 94. The nearly parallel beam passing through the relay lens system 94 travels through a quarter wave plate 95 as a phase shifter and through a polarization beam splitter 96 as a polarizer, and then reaches a detection surface 97 a of two-dimensional CCD 97. The detection surface 97 a of two-dimensional CCD 97 is approximately optically conjugate with the exit pupil of the projection optical system PL and is thus approximately optically conjugate with the illumination pupil plane of the illumination optical apparatus.

The quarter wave plate 95 is arranged rotatable around the optical axis and a setting member 98 for setting the angle of rotation around the optical axis is connected to this quarter wave plate 95. In this configuration, when the degree of polarization of the illumination light on the wafer W is not 0, the light intensity distribution on the detection surface 97 a of two-dimensional CCD 97 varies with rotation of the quarter wave plate 95 around the optical axis through the setting member 98. Therefore, the wafer surface polarization monitor 90 is able to detect the change in the light intensity distribution on the detection surface 97 a with rotation of the quarter wave plate 95 around the optical axis by means of the setting member 98 and thereby to measure the polarization state of the illumination light from the detection result by the rotating compensator method.

The rotating compensator method is detailed, for example, in Tsuruta, “Pencil of Light-Applied Optics for optical engineers,” K.K. Shingijutsu Communications. In practice, the polarization state of the illumination light is measured at a plurality of positions on the wafer surface while the pinhole member 90 (therefore, pinhole 90 a) is two-dimensionally moved along the wafer surface. At this time, the wafer surface polarization monitor 90 detects a change of the light intensity distribution on the two-dimensional detection surface 97 a, whereby it can measure a distribution of polarization states of the illumination light in the pupil on the basis of the detected distribution information.

The wafer surface polarization monitor 90 can also be configured using a half wave plate instead of the quarter wave plate 95 as a phase shifter. With use of any kind of phase shifter, in order to measure the polarization state, i.e., the four Stokes parameters, it is necessary to detect the change of the light intensity distribution on the detection surface 97 a in at least four different states, by changing the relative angle around the optical axis between the phase shifter and the polarizer (polarization beam splitter 96) or by moving the phase shifter or the polarizer away from the optical path. The present embodiment is configured to rotate the quarter wave plate 95 as a phase shifter around the optical axis, but the polarization beam splitter 96 as a polarizer may be rotated around the optical axis, or both of the phase shifter and the polarizer may be rotated around the optical axis. Instead of this operation, or in addition to this operation, one or both of the quarter wave plate 95 as a phase shifter and the polarization beam splitter 96 as a polarizer may be moved into and away from the optical path.

In the wafer surface polarization monitor 90, the polarization state of light can vary depending upon the polarization characteristic of the reflector 93. In this case, since the polarization characteristic of the reflector 93 is preliminarily known, the polarization state of the illumination light can be accurately measured by compensating the measurement result of the wafer surface polarization monitor 90 on the basis of the influence of the polarization characteristic of reflector 93 on the polarization state by some calculation. In other cases where the polarization state varies due to another optical component such as a lens, as well as the reflector, the polarization state of the illumination light can also be accurately measured by compensating the measurement result in the same manner.

The evaluation for the distribution of polarization states of illumination light in the pupil will be specifically described below. A degree of specific polarization DSP is first calculated for each of rays passing a point (or a microscopic area) on the pupil and arriving at a point (microscopic area) on the image plane. The XYZ coordinate system used in FIGS. 1, 16, and 18 will be used in the description hereinafter. The above-described point (microscopic area) on the pupil corresponds to a pixel in the two-dimensional CCD 97, and the point (microscopic area) on the image plane to XY coordinates of the pinhole 90 a.

This degree of specific polarization DSP is represented by the following equation: (3) DSP=(Ix−Iy)/(Ix+Iy),

where Ix is the intensity of the component of X-directional polarization (polarization with the direction of oscillation along the X-direction on the pupil) in a specific ray passing a point (or microscopic area) on the pupil and arriving at a point (microscopic area) on the image plane, and Iy the intensity of the component of Y-directional polarization (polarization with the direction of oscillation along the Y-direction on the pupil) in the specific ray. This degree of specific polarization DSP is synonymous with horizontal linear polarization intensity minus vertical linear polarization intensity S₁ over total intensity S₀, (S₁/S₀).

We can also define a right polarization rate RSP_(h) for horizontal polarization (polarization to become S-polarization for diffracted light by a mask pattern horizontally extending in the pattern surface), and a right polarization rate RSP_(v) for vertical polarization (polarization to become S-polarization for diffracted light by a mask pattern vertically extending in the pattern surface) according to Eqs (4) and (5) below from the intensity Ix of the component of X-directional polarization (polarization with the direction of oscillation along the X-direction on the pupil) in the specific ray passing a point (or microscopic area) on the pupil and arriving at a point (microscopic area) on the image plane and the intensity Iy of the component of Y-directional polarization (polarization with the direction of oscillation along the Y-direction on the pupil) in the specific ray.

RSP _(h) =Ix/( Ix+Iy)  (4)

RSP _(v) =Iy/( Ix+Iy)  (5)

RSP_(h) and RSP_(v) both are 50% in ideal unpolarized illumination, RSP_(h) is 100% in ideal horizontal polarization, and RSP_(v) is 100% in ideal vertical polarization.

When a polarization degree V is defined by Eqs (6)-(9) below for each of rays passing a point (or microscopic area) on the pupil and arriving at a point (microscopic area) on the image plane, an average polarization degree V(Ave) can be defined as Eq (10) below for a bundle of rays passing a predetermined effective light source region and arriving at a point (microscopic area) on the image plane.

$\begin{matrix} \begin{matrix} {V = {\left( {S_{1}^{2} + S_{2}^{2} + S_{3}^{2}} \right)^{1/2}/S_{0}}} \\ {= \left( {S_{1}^{\prime 2} + S_{2}^{\prime 2} + S_{3}^{\prime 2}} \right)^{1/2}} \end{matrix} & (6) \\ {S_{1}^{\prime} = {S_{1}/S_{0}}} & (7) \\ {S_{2}^{\prime} = {S_{2}/S_{0}}} & (8) \\ {S_{3}^{\prime} = {S_{3}/S_{0}}} & (9) \end{matrix}$

In the above equations, S₀ represents the total intensity, S₁ horizontal linear polarization intensity minus vertical linear polarization intensity, S₂ 45° linear polarization intensity minus 135° linear polarization intensity, and S₃ right-handed circular polarization intensity minus left-handed circular polarization intensity.

V(Ave)=Σ[S ₀(x _(i) ,y _(i))·V(x _(i) ,y _(i))]/ΣS ₀(x _(i) ,y _(i))  (10)

In Eq (10), S₀(x_(i),y_(i)) represents the total intensity S₀ for rays passing a point (or microscopic area) on a predetermined effective light source region (x_(i),y_(i)) and arriving at a point (microscopic area) on the image plane, and V(x_(i),y_(i)) the polarization degree of a ray passing a point (or microscopic area) on the predetermined effective light source region (x_(i),y_(i)) and arriving at a point (microscopic area) on the image plane.

In addition, we can define an average specific polarization rate RSP_(h)(Ave) about horizontal polarization by Eq (11) below and an average specific polarization rate RSP_(v)(Ave) about vertical polarization by Eq (12), for a bundle of rays passing the predetermined effective light source region and arriving at a point (microscopic area) on the image plane.

$\begin{matrix} \begin{matrix} {{{RSP}_{h}({Ave})} = {{{{Ix}({Ave})}/\left( {{Ix} + {Iy}} \right)}{Ave}}} \\ {= {{{\Sigma \left\lbrack {{S_{0}\left( {x_{i},y_{i}} \right)} \cdot {{RSP}_{h}\left( {x_{i},y_{i}} \right)}} \right\rbrack}/\Sigma}\; {S_{0}\left( {x_{i},y_{i}} \right)}}} \end{matrix} & (11) \\ \begin{matrix} {{{RSP}_{v}({Ave})} = {{{{Iy}({Ave})}/\left( {{Ix} + {Iy}} \right)}{Ave}}} \\ {= {{{\Sigma \left\lbrack {{S_{0}\left( {x_{i},y_{i}} \right)} \cdot {{RSP}_{v}\left( {x_{i},y_{i}} \right)}} \right\rbrack}/\Sigma}\; {S_{0}\left( {x_{i},y_{i}} \right)}}} \end{matrix} & (12) \end{matrix}$

Ix(Ave) represents an average intensity of the component of X-directional polarization (polarization with the direction of oscillation along the X-direction on the pupil) in a bundle of rays passing the predetermined effective light source region (x_(i),y_(i)) and arriving at a point (microscopic area) on the image plane, Iy(Ave) an average intensity of the component of Y-directional polarization (polarization with the direction of oscillation along the Y-direction on the pupil) in the bundle of rays passing the predetermined effective light source region (x_(i),y_(i)) and arriving at a point (microscopic area) on the image plane, RSP_(h)(x_(i),y_(i)) a right polarization rate for horizontal polarization of a ray passing a point (or microscopic area) on the predetermined effective light source region (x_(i),y_(i)) and arriving at a point (microscopic area) on the image plane, and RSP_(v)(x_(i),y_(i)) a right polarization rate for vertical polarization of a ray passing a point (or microscopic area) on the predetermined effective light source region (x_(i),y_(i)) and arriving at a point (microscopic area) on the image plane. In addition, (Ix+Iy)Ave is an average intensity of an entire beam passing the predetermined effective light source region.

Here, RSP_(h)(x_(i),y_(i)) and RSP_(v)(x_(i),y_(i)) both are 50% in ideal unpolarized illumination, RSP_(h)(x_(i),y_(i)) is 100% in ideal horizontal polarization, and RSP_(v)(x_(i),y_(i)) is 100% in ideal vertical polarization.

Then we can define an average specific polarization degree DSP(AVE) as Eq (13) below, for a bundle of rays passing the predetermined effective light source region (x_(i),y_(i)) and arriving at a point (microscopic area) on the image plane.

$\begin{matrix} \begin{matrix} {{{DSP}({Ave})} = {\left( {{Ix} - {Iy}} \right){{Ave}/\left( {{Ix} + {Iy}} \right)}{Ave}}} \\ {= \left\{ {{\Sigma \left\lbrack {{{Ix}\left( {x_{i},y_{i}} \right)} - {{Iy}\left( {x_{i},y_{i}} \right)}} \right\rbrack}/{\Sigma \left\lbrack {{{Ix}\left( {x_{i},y_{i}} \right)} + {{Iy}\left( {x_{i},y_{i}} \right)}} \right\rbrack}} \right\}} \\ {= {S_{1}^{\prime}({Ave})}} \\ {= \left\{ {\Sigma \; {S_{1}/\Sigma}\; S_{0}} \right\}} \end{matrix} & (13) \end{matrix}$

Here, (Ix−Iy)Ave represents an average of differences between intensities of the X-directional polarization component in a bundle of rays passing the predetermined effective light source region (x_(i),y_(i)) and arriving at a point (microscopic area) on the image plane and intensities of the Y-directional polarization component in the bundle of rays passing the predetermined effective light source region (x_(i),y_(i)) and arriving at a point (microscopic area) on the image plane, Ix(x_(i),y_(i)) the intensity of the X-directional polarization component in a ray passing a point (or microscopic area) on the predetermined effective light source region (x_(i),y_(i)) and arriving at a point (microscopic area) on the image plane, Iy(x_(i),y_(i)) the intensity of the Y-directional polarization component in a ray passing a point (or microscopic area) on the predetermined effective light source region (x_(i),y_(i)) and arriving at a point (microscopic area) on the image plane, and S₁′(Ave) an average of the S₁′ component in the predetermined effective light source region (x_(i),y_(i)).

In Eq (13), DSP(Ave) becomes 0 in ideal unpolarized illumination, DSP(Ave) becomes 1 in ideal horizontal polarization, and DSP(Ave) becomes −1 in ideal vertical polarization.

In the illumination optical apparatus of the present embodiment and, therefore, in the exposure apparatus, it can be assumed that the interior of the predetermined effective light source region is linear polarized light if the average specific polarization rates RSP_(h)(Ave), RSP_(v)(Ave) in the predetermined effective light source region satisfy the following relations:

RSP _(h)(Ave)>70%, and RSP _(v)(Ave)>70%.

Where the average specific polarization rates RSP_(h)(Ave), RSP_(v)(Ave) fail to satisfy the above conditions, the desired linear polarization state with the plane of polarization in the predetermined direction is not realized in the circumferentially polarized annular illumination, the circumferentially polarized quadrupole illumination, the circumferentially polarized dipole illumination, and so on, and it is thus infeasible to achieve an improvement in the imaging performance for a pattern with a thin line width having a specific pitch direction.

For example, in a case where the quartered, circumferentially polarized annular illumination is implemented by use of the quartered polarization-modulating element 10 f shown in FIG. 13, the secondary light source 31 of the annular shape is divided into four segments, as shown in FIG. 20, and the average specific polarization rates RSP_(h)(Ave), RSP_(v)(Ave) are evaluated for each of the segmental regions 31A1, 31A2, 31C1, 31C2.

The exposure apparatus according to the foregoing embodiment is able to produce microdevices (semiconductor elements, image pickup elements, liquid crystal display elements, thin-film magnetic heads, etc.) by illuminating a mask (reticle) by the illumination optical apparatus (illumination step) and projecting a pattern for transcription formed on the mask, onto a photosensitive substrate by use of the projection optical system (exposure step). The following will describe an example of a procedure of producing semiconductor devices as microdevices by forming a predetermined circuit pattern on a wafer or the like as a photosensitive substrate by means of the exposure apparatus of the foregoing embodiment, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9.

The first step 301 in FIG. 9 is to deposit a metal film on each of wafers in one lot. The next step 302 is to apply a photoresist onto the metal film on each wafer in the lot. Thereafter, step 303 is to sequentially transcribe an image of a pattern on a mask into each shot area on each wafer in the lot, through the projection optical system by use of the exposure apparatus of the foregoing embodiment. Subsequently, step 304 is to perform development of the photoresist on each wafer in the lot, and step 305 thereafter is to perform etching with the resist pattern as a mask on each wafer in the lot, thereby forming a circuit pattern corresponding to the pattern on the mask, in each shot area on each wafer. Thereafter, devices such as semiconductor elements are produced through execution of formation of circuit patterns in upper layers and others. The semiconductor device production method as described above permits us to produce the semiconductor devices with extremely fine circuit patterns at high throughput.

The exposure apparatus of the foregoing embodiment can also be applied to production of a liquid crystal display element as a microdevice in such a manner that predetermined patterns (a circuit pattern, an electrode pattern, etc.) are formed on a plate (glass substrate). An example of a procedure of this production will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, pattern forming step 401 is to execute a so-called photolithography step of transcribing a pattern on a mask onto a photosensitive substrate (a glass substrate coated with a resist or the like) by use of the exposure apparatus of the foregoing embodiment. In this photolithography step, the predetermined patterns including a number of electrodes and others are formed on the photosensitive substrate. Thereafter, the exposed substrate is subjected to steps such as a development step, an etching step, a resist removing step, etc., to form the predetermined patterns on the substrate, followed by next color filter forming step 402.

The next color filter forming step 402 is to form a color filter in which a number of sets of three dots corresponding to R (Red), G (Green), and B (Blue) are arrayed in a matrix, or in which a plurality of sets of filters of three stripes of R, G, and B are arrayed in the direction of horizontal scan lines. After the color filter forming step 402, cell assembly step 403 is carried out. The cell assembly step 403 is to assemble a liquid crystal panel (liquid crystal cell), using the substrate with the predetermined patterns obtained in the pattern forming step 401, the color filter obtained in the color filter forming step 402, and so on.

In the cell assembly step 403, for example, a liquid crystal is poured into the space between the substrate with the predetermined patterns obtained in the pattern forming step 401 and the color filter obtained in the color filter forming step 402 to produce the liquid crystal panel (liquid crystal cell). Thereafter, module assembly step 404 is carried out to attach such components as an electric circuit, a backlight, and so on for implementing the display operation of the assembled liquid crystal panel (liquid crystal cell), to complete the liquid crystal display element. The production method of the liquid crystal display element described above permits us to produce the liquid crystal display elements with extremely fine circuit patterns at high throughput.

The foregoing embodiment is arranged to use the KrF excimer laser light (wavelength: 248 nm) or the ArF excimer laser light (wavelength: 193 nm) as the exposure light, but, without having to be limited to this, the present invention can also be applied to other appropriate laser light sources, e.g., an F₂ laser light source for supplying laser light of the wavelength of 157 nm. Furthermore, the foregoing embodiment described the present invention, using the exposure apparatus with the illumination optical apparatus as an example, but it is apparent that the present invention can be applied to ordinary illumination optical apparatus for illuminating the surface to be illuminated, except for the mask and wafer.

In the foregoing embodiment, it is also possible to apply the so-called liquid immersion method, which is a technique of filling a medium (typically, a liquid) with a refractive index larger than 1.1 in the optical path between the projection optical system and the photosensitive substrate. In this case, the technique of filling the liquid in the optical path between the projection optical system and the photosensitive substrate can be selected from the technique of locally filling the liquid as disclosed in PCT International Publication No. WO99/49504, the technique of moving a stage holding a substrate as an exposure target in a liquid bath as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-124873, the technique of forming a liquid bath in a predetermined depth on a stage and holding the substrate therein as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-303114, and so on.

The liquid is preferably one that is transparent to the exposure light, that has the refractive index as high as possible, and that is stable against the projection optical system and the photoresist applied to the surface of the substrate; for example, where the exposure light is the KrF excimer laser light or the ArF excimer laser light, pure water or deionized water can be used as the liquid. Where the F₂ laser light is used as the exposure light, the liquid can be a fluorinated liquid capable of transmitting the F₂ laser light, e.g., fluorinated oil or perfluoropolyether (PFPE).

From the invention thus described, it will be obvious that the invention may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended for inclusion within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A polarization-modulating element for modulating a polarization state of incident light into a predetermined polarization state, comprising: a circumferentially varying thickness profile, and a central region with no substantial optical activity, wherein the polarization-modulating element being made of an optical material with optical activity, and wherein a radial size of the central region is not less than 3/10 of a radial size of an effective region of the polarization-modulating element.
 2. The polarization-modulating element according to claim 1, wherein a radial size of the central region is not less than ⅓ of a radial size of an effective region of the polarization-modulating element.
 3. The polarization-modulating element according to claim 1, further comprising a depolarizer arranged in an optical path in the central region.
 4. The polarization-modulating element according to claim 1, wherein the polarization modulating element having sector shape elements.
 5. An illumination optical system for illuminating a surface to be illuminated, based on illumination radiation supplied from a radiation source, comprising: a polarization modulating element according to claim 1 arranged in an optical path of the illumination radiation.
 6. The illumination optical system according to claim 5, further comprising an annular ratio changing optical system, arranged in an optical path between the polarization modulating element and the surface to be illuminated, that changes an annular ratio of a secondary radiation source formed on a pupil of the illumination optical apparatus.
 7. The illumination optical system according to claim 6, wherein the illumination optical apparatus satisfying the following conditions: (10in+ΔA)/10out<0.75; 0.4<(10in+ΔA)/10out, where 10in: an effective radius of a central region of the polarization-modulating element, 10out: an outside effective radius of the polarization-modulating element, and ΔA: an increase of an inside radius of a beam passing through the annular ratio changing optical system.
 8. An exposure apparatus comprising the illumination optical apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a predetermined pattern is projected onto a photosensitive substrate through the illumination optical apparatus.
 9. A device manufacturing method comprising the steps of: projecting a predetermined pattern onto a photosensitive substrate, using the illumination optical apparatus according to claim 5, and developing the photosensitive substrate.
 10. A polarization-modulating element for modulating a polarization state of incident light into a predetermined polarization state, and for using with an illumination optical apparatus having an annular ratio changing optical system, comprising: a circumferentially varying thickness profile, and a central region with no substantial optical activity, wherein the polarization-modulating element being made of an optical material with optical activity, wherein the annular ratio changing optical system, arranged in an optical path between the polarization modulating element and a surface to be illuminated, that changes an annular ratio of a secondary radiation source formed on a pupil of the illumination optical apparatus, and wherein the illumination optical apparatus satisfying the following conditions: (10in+ΔA)/10out<0.75; 0.4<(10in+ΔA)/10out, where 10in: an effective radius of the central region of the polarization-modulating element, 10out: an outside effective radius of the polarization-modulating element, and ΔA: an increase of an inside radius of a beam passing through the annular ratio changing optical system.
 11. The polarization-modulating element according to claim 10, wherein a radial size of the central region is not less than 3/10 of a radial size of an effective region of the polarization-modulating element.
 12. The polarization-modulating element according to claim 11, wherein a radial size of the central region is not less than ⅓ of a radial size of an effective region of the polarization-modulating element.
 13. The polarization-modulating element according to claim 10, further comprising a depolarizer arranged in an optical path in the central region.
 14. The polarization-modulating element according to claim 10, wherein the polarization modulating element having sector shape elements.
 15. A method of producing a polarization-modulating element for modulating a polarization state of incident light into a predetermined polarization state, comprising: a step of preparing an optical material with optical activity; and a step of providing the optical material with a circumferentially varying thickness profile.
 16. The production method of the polarization-modulating element according to claim 15, wherein the thickness profile is so set that light in a linearly polarized state with a direction of polarization substantially along a single direction, is transformed into light in a azimuthal polarization state with a direction of polarization substantially along a circumferential direction or into light in a radially polarized state with a direction of polarization substantially along a radial direction.
 17. The production method of the polarization-modulating element according to claim 16, wherein the step of providing the circumferentially varying thickness profile is to provide such a thickness profile that thicknesses of two arbitrary regions adjacent to each other among a plurality of circumferentially separated regions are different from each other.
 18. The production method of the polarization-modulating element according to claim 16, wherein two arbitrary regions opposite to each other among the plurality of regions have their respective angles of optical rotation substantially equal to each other.
 19. The production method of the polarization-modulating element according to claim 18, wherein said two arbitrary regions opposite to each other have their respective thicknesses substantially equal to each other.
 20. The production method of the polarization-modulating element according to claim 15, wherein the step of providing the circumferentially varying thickness profile is to provide a thickness profile circumferentially varying in a substantially continuous manner.
 21. The production method of the polarization-modulating element according to claim 15, wherein the step of preparing the optical material with optical activity is to set the optical material so that a crystallographic axis thereof coincides with a traveling direction of the incident light. 